Mumbai’s high-profile batting lineup, featuring international stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, failed to impress in their Ranji Trophy Group A clash against Jammu and Kashmir. The team struggled in both innings, with their top-order crumbling under pressure.
Shreyas Iyer, in particular, faced heavy criticism for his poor shot selection, which led to his dismissals in both innings. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali highlighted this as a potential weakness that could be exploited in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Basit Ali Identifies Key Weakness in Iyer’s Batting
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali criticized Iyer’s approach during the match, calling his shot selection the “worst” of the innings. “The team had already lost six wickets, and the mid-on fielder was pushed back, but he still played it right there. The easiest way to dismiss Shreyas Iyer in the Champions Trophy is to have the mid-on back because he will surely go for a big hit,” said Ali.
Iyer was dismissed for just 11 runs off seven balls in the first innings, attempting an aggressive shot against Yudhvir Singh and getting caught at mid-on. In the second innings, he managed only 17 runs off 16 deliveries before being caught behind off Auqib Nabi.
Rohit Sharma’s Forgettable Return to Domestic Cricket
The match also marked India skipper Rohit Sharma’s return to domestic cricket after nearly a decade, but his performance was far from inspiring. His dismissals mirrored the struggles he faced during India’s Test series in Australia, where he averaged a dismal 6.20.
In the first innings, Rohit was dismissed for just three runs off 19 balls. In the second, he showcased some aggression, smashing three consecutive sixes, but fell while attempting a fourth, managing 28 runs off 35 deliveries.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mumbai’s Top-Order Collapse
Rohit’s opening partner and young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal also had a lackluster outing. He managed only four runs off eight balls in the first innings and 26 runs off 51 balls in the second. Mumbai’s batting collapse left them reeling at 57/7 in the first innings, with the team relying on lower-order contributions from Shardul Thakur and Tanush Kotian to put up a respectable score.
Concerns Ahead of the Champions Trophy
The poor performances of Mumbai’s star players, particularly Iyer, have raised concerns ahead of the Champions Trophy. Iyer’s vulnerability against certain field setups and Rohit’s inconsistency could be areas of focus for opponents in the tournament. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, India’s top-order will need to address these issues to ensure a stronger showing on the international stage.
